5/30/2023 0 Comments Christmas cactus![]() ![]() During the summer months while the cactus is resting, it can live in a shadier spot. During the flowering season (late November to late January) a Christmas cactus likes plenty of light but not direct sunlight. Moelyn Photos // Getty Images Does the Christmas cactus like sun or shade? You can give it a bushier appearance by removing stem tips as well as the oldest and damaged stems. The fluctuations in temperature combined with the varied watering levels encourages flowering.Īs the plant gets older, it will become congested and leggy. The key to ensuring your cacti flowers at Christmas is ensuring the plant rests in February/early March and then again in late September. As soon as these can be seen, it is time to move the plant back into the house and keep it at a much higher temperature – around 18-20☌/65-69☏.ĭon’t worry if you cannot be exact in terms of temperature levels. This is essential since it gives the plant a little time to rest while the flowering buds form. With the onset of autumn and days become shorter, reduce watering and move the Christmas cacti to a cooler spot. Make sure it is protected from slugs, and check the plant’s condition regularly. When there is no more risk of frosts, your Christmas cactus can be placed in a shady spot outside for the summer to encourage new growth. Water a little more regularly and add some liquid houseplant feed ( shop from gallery above). Keep the newly potted plant in a warmer spot, enjoying a temperature of around 18-20☌/65-69☏. If this is not available, a loam based compost containing extra leaf mould and grit can be used. Use a cactus compost ( shop from gallery above). Choose a pot which is just slightly bigger than the existing one, as Christmas cacti like to fit snuggly into their container. This marks the start of the new growing season which will continue until late September. Leave the plant to rest until the end of March when repotting becomes essential. How to care for a Christmas cactus in spring and summer ensure plant rests in February/early March and late September.they need plenty of light but not direct sunlight.they like a warm spot (warmest when in flower, less so when resting).they need a humid atmosphere when in flower. ![]() ![]() they are vulnerable to drops in temperature.they flower late November to late January.Move the plant to a cooler room, ideally around 12-15☌/55-59☏. The plant needs time to rest and recover after flowering. When the flowering season ends, reduce the amount of watering and give it just enough to keep the compost slightly moist. Put the plant in a warm spot, with plenty of light but not direct sunlight. Keep the gravel moist at all times but never cover too deeply with water. This is easily achieved by placing the plant pot on a gravel or pebble filled saucer. Spreading up to 45 cm (18 inches) in diameter, Christmas cacti do best in a wide pot rather than one which is too deep since this stops them falling over.Ĭhristmas Cacti need a humid atmosphere. It flowers abundantly at the end of each stem. The Christmas cactus tends to develop long stems which droop rather than being upright. £9 at Amazon Credit: Amazon How to care for a Christmas cactus Once in their new home, Christmas cacti are quite easy plants to grow. Christmas cacti are vulnerable to drops in temperature caused by moving from a warm store, out into the cold and being placed in a chilly car. Having made your choice, take care transporting them home. Avoid plants that look a bit shrivelled as this is can be due to root problems caused by over or under watering. Look for healthy plants with plenty of flower buds, which have been kept in a warm, humid atmosphere rather than close to exits where they experience draughts and fluctuating temperatures. Red and pink tend to be the most common colours available.Ĭhoose your cacti carefully. Where to buy a Christmas cactusĮvery garden centre and florist has large displays of Christmas cacti available from early November onwards. The Christmas link is due to the fact that they come into flower in late November and continue flowering until late January. Officially, they are described as Schlumbergera Truncata or Schlumbergera x buckleyi.Įqually unexpected is the fact that they don’t come from hot, dry deserts, but are forest cacti growing in humid Brazilian forests and attaching themselves to trees or rocks. What is a Christmas cactus?Īlthough everyone knows this houseplant as a Christmas cactus, it is not its official name. The eye catching bright pink, red, purple or white flowers make perfect festive houseplant gifts. A guide to the Christmas cactus, including how to care for a Christmas cactus all year round, how often to water them, whether they like sun or shade and where to buy a Christmas cactus from.Ĭolourful and pretty, the Christmas cactus is the perfect way to brighten up a room amid the dark days of winter. ![]()
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